CF-IMV/C-FIMV / Wheeler/Evergreen/FPL #505/#26 / Bu# 85665

Early History

Wheeler Airlines, St. Jean, Quebec#505 CF-IMV 1958-1965

Aerial spray program – NB1958 – Acquired from RCN 27 Feb 1958 for $4500. Converted to sprayer, painting, etc., by Fairey Aviation, Dartmouth, NS, for $3500. 58 as part of a fleet of 6 Wheeler and 6 Skyway TBMs. Pilot Hardwicke. 1959 – No operations. 1960-1965 – No records, but very likely flew in NB for these years.

Wheeler Northland #505 in pits at Dunphy, 1967. The other two TBMs in the team belong to Skyway Air Services of Langley, BC.

Evergreen Air Services, Roxboro, Quebec#505 CF-IMV 1971-1975

Aerial spray program – NB1971, 1972 – Pilot Skidmore. 1973, 1974, 1975 – Pilot Gilland. 1976 – Evergreen Air Services sold FIMV to Forest Protection Limited in 1976. This is one of 2 TBMs sold to FPL (the other was #501 FIMR).

Forest Protection Limited, Fredericton, NB#26 C-FIMV 1976-1977

Crashed 9 June 1977, PM. TBM #505 CF-IMV piloted by Gary Richards and owned by FPL (flown out of Blissville) crashed on take-off at the end of the runway. The cause was a prop fracture on takeoff. The plane caught fire and was completely destroyed. The pilot was not injured.